Today is January 15th, 2010.  On Tuesday, January 12th a major earthquake hit the island nation of Haiti.  I wouldn't normally write an update on this section, mid-month, but this is so close in many ways.  I live in Southwest Florida--Haiti is closer to me than driving to Orlando.  There is also a huge Haitian population across South Florida.

You do not know this about me but I have a huge heart for children.  I cannot handle seeing a child suffer, do without or knowing they do not have parents.  And, knowing the already large number of parentless children that exist in Haiti has been added to (under the circumstance), is breaking my heart.  In addition to this, and the fact that the orphanages in and around Port au Prince are in crumbles, is the fact that the government building which housed the government run adoption agency and all the paperwork for adoptions in process and all the legal documents for all the children, are now destroyed; the agents working the cases are, sadly, under the rubble as well.  This is so concerning.

The first thing I put out on our social networks after all this occurred was "please pray for the people of Haiti...especially the children." I was watching our local news earlier tonight and a young local Haitian boy was asked what he felt was the biggest need for his home country. His response, "they need prayer because it will lift them up."  Amazing! And heartfelt. As you are considering whether or not to donate to the relief funds...please don't forget that there is one completely free thing you can do for the people of Haiti...pray for them.

Thank you and God bless!

Stacey Louiso

Happy New Year! I hope the last few weeks have been filled with love and peace at heart for you and yours. Personally, it was a really busy time between work, parties and preparing for Christmas. My mother and I spent two straight days prepping and cooking for an intimate gathering we hosted on Christmas Eve...then reheating and resetting for our “take our left-overs PLEASE” dinner on Christmas night. I was led to do this and blessed to be able as several of our close family friends are in dire straights. It is the least we could do. And everyone was happy to be invited, fed and loved.

Over the past week or so I have heard so many people express their pleasure at ringing out 2009 and ringing 2010 in...they are optimistic that the coming year will be better than this past. I recall where things sat in January 2009; both my personal life and the life of attribute, have vastly improved. I can attest to the difficulties faced by so many friends and family members, business associates and strangers. So let us all pray for optimism across the board, in hopes it spreads like wildfire and is infectious.

I take attribute magazine into the coming new year, with trepidation, but take her in none-the-less. I say this for it is a huge feat producing it month in and month out. And we are not alone, many media outlets—both print and virtual media, old and new, are struggling with the same decision I am faced with. So, I ask in advance, not to be judged or scorned for any decision we make to ensure our survival in the coming months. (In other words, be forewarned of coming changes to our structure.) The best thing about being on the web...we can remain pliable.

Regardless, we continue to be blessed. We are blessed with new writers, the ability to teach our interns and give them opportunities to learn this new media. We are blessed with a strong online server with fabulous security to bounce off the hackers and spammers who are constantly attempting to infiltrate our system (yes, I see you—I am watching and I know your tricks ha ha). Mostly, we are thankful that people keep coming back to visit us...thank you a million times.

Want to adopt a U.S. Armed Service member or unit? On the main menu, go to Community: In the Bulletin Board section, you will find the url’s to several websites where you can also ask for addresses and wish and need lists from the troops. Please support them if you can. Did you know that many of our combat troops are unable to get the basics such as toothpaste and shampoo?  Women troops are especially in need of personal care items.  It's sad that these men and women are over there in extreme conditions, putting their lives on the line, and they aren't being taken care of.

As usual, we have great articles: Check out our new writer Marissa Yeamans and her feature on Litsisters.com, a literary site that helps writers learn to be “writerpreneurs.” Angela Patterson writes her final attribute column, sharing her own wedding planning tips. And for your New Year's business resolutions, which may include becoming more sustainable in your practices, read the review of Greening Your Small Business, a helpful resource book (it can be found in the Green Biz Spotlight).

Cheers to you 2010 and all the newness you bring with you.

Love and blessings!

Stacey Louiso

Fouding Editor